Which category does the Human Factors Analysis System (HFACS) use to classify human error?

The Human Factors Analysis System (HFACS) uses the category of organizational influences to classify human error because it recognizes that many human errors are influenced by various factors within an organization. Organizational influences refer to the broader context in which personnel operate, including policies, procedures, and culture that can impact decision-making and behavior. This category emphasizes the role that management and organizational structure play in either facilitating or hindering safe practices.

By focusing on organizational influences, HFACS allows for a deeper understanding of the systemic issues that contribute to errors. It encourages leaders to examine how organizational practices, training, and communication can be improved to reduce human errors. This approach underscores the importance of considering not just the individual actions of personnel but also the context in which those actions occur.

In contrast, the other categories like financial losses, social dynamics, and environmental impacts, while important in their own right, do not specifically address the internal organizational structures and processes that HFACS seeks to analyze. Therefore, organizational influences is the most relevant category in understanding human error through the lens of HFACS.